Greening: a good business decision

Broadway Green Alliance has discovered that the arguments for energy efficiency and conservation in theatres are stronger when they’re backed by a convincing business case.

A new publication, recently highlighted by Yonge Street Media, agrees that environmental sustainability is a good business decision. Canadian author Bob Willard, whose book The New Sustainability Advantagehas just been updated and re-issued, says that “Even setting aside—it pains me to say this—the moral responsibility a company has to be a better steward of the environment and be careful about their social impacts as well, I tried to see what the possibilities are for a company to benefit from hard-nosed business opportunities.”

“The bottom line benefits are higher than they were in the first book. Within three to five years, if a company were to simply do what other companies are already doing, they’d be making 50 to 80 per cent more profit than they’re currently making.” Although green technology has certainly gotten better in the last decade, Willard doesn’t think it’s the defining change—all his proposals utilize existing technology, rather than waiting around for a silver bullet. He says that it’s attitude and commitment that will make the difference.

For information about what performing arts companies can do to save energy and money, see Creative Trust’s Energy Conservation Audits.